DUE 5/4! Michigan-based RFP to create awards - 2 WEEKS LEFT!

TWO WEEKS LEFT!!! DEADLINE MAY 14!!!

RFP Seeking Michigan-Based Artist to Create Awards

Calling all Michigan-Based Artists! (Please forward to your membership, students, colleagues, or others who may be interested)

The Michigan Downtown Conference Planning Committee has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a Michigan-based artist to create unique and hand-crafted awards for this year's conference being held on September 13-14, 2010 in Bay City, MI. The awards are to reflect the positive image and vibrancy of Michigan's downtowns and traditional commercial districts.

The theme of this year's conference is "Michigan's Downtowns: Yes, We're Open!", an outgrowth of the nationally acclaimed Shop Main Street video produced by the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA last year. The conference brings together community leaders across the state and serves to present case studies and best practices on successful downtown development strategies as well as provide new ideas to attendees for use in their own communities.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, May 14, 2010. Request for Proposal (RFP) details are available on the conference website at www.michigandowntownconference.org. For questions, please contact Kelly Larson at larsonk@michigan.gov.

If you would like to view the video that has inspired the conference, please visit the Michigan Main Street Center website at www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org and click on the "Main Street Video" link at the top of the page.


Kelly Larson
Main Street Architect, State Historic Preservation Office
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
702 W. Kalamazoo, PO Box 30740, Lansing, MI 48909-8240
Phone: 517-241-0242 Fax: 517-335-0348
For information about MSHDA and social networking, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mshdasocialnetwork

ARTSERVE MI: Senate Appropriations Testimony & Great Debates

ArtServe Michigan Public Policy Update: Senate Appropriations Testimony & Great Debates

ArtServe Testifies before Senate Subcommittee in Support of MCACA

This morning, Jennifer Goulet and Mike Latvis testified before the Senate Appropriations Economic Development Subcommittee in support of the grant budget of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

As you will see in the attached document , ArtServe is requesting that the Senate preserve funding at the Governor's requested and House approved level of $2.367 million and to add $400,000 for staff and administrative costs for three full-time employees. While in any other year an increase to pre-moratorium levels of $10 million would be requested, we feel that preserving funding and providing for staff and administrative costs is a key priority in such a tough fiscal year.

The subcommittee, Chaired by Senator Mark Jansen (R - Grand Rapids), will report its recommendations to the General Government Subcommittee before it releases its substitute to House Bill 5880 on May 13th. Trust that ArtServe will continue to work behind the scenes as well as directly with advocates who reside in each committee member's district to preserve funding for Fiscal Year 2011. Stay tuned to further updates as the legislature progresses through the budget process.

Great Debates - Constitutional Convention

Have you heard about a ballot proposal to hold a Constitutional Convention in 2011? Do you know what a Constitutional Convention is? Have you wondered why this would be beneficial or harmful?

Well, as part of ArtServe's sponsorship of the 2010 Great Debates, we are happy to provide you with the video at the link below that dives into the pros and cons of a constitutional convention in Michigan. The video is a bit lengthy, but features former Grand Rapids Mayor John Logie and Michigan Chamber VP Bob Labrant discussing the prospect of a constitutional convention.

www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/the-great-debates/

Stay tuned! As one of the sponsors for the 2010 Great Debates, ArtServe will have priority access to fifty targeted state House and Senate debates as well as three gubernatorial debates. As we've stated before, this is not only an opportunity to have arts, culture and arts education "at the table" but to provide you with information on the candidates that may represent you in state government.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to email or call ArtServe Michigan's Director of Public Policy, Mike Latvis at mike@artservemichigan.org or 248-379-5897.

NEA 2010 Awards for Michigan announced

From Carolyn Damstra, Program Manager at the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA):

Congratulations to all these Michigan organizations for bringing these important federal dollars to our state!

FY 2010 Grant Awards: State Listings

Access to Artistic Excellence II/American Masterpieces/Arts on Radio and Television/Learning in the Arts for Children & Youth/Partnerships

Some details of the projects listed in this grant announcement are subject to change, contingent upon prior Endowment approval.

MICHIGAN

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
$10,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting
To support a series of multidisciplinary presentations. As part of the reopening activities of the Fine Arts Center, the programming will include music and dance performances, and exhibition, lecture, workshops, demonstrations, and artist talks.

Chamber Music Society of Detroit
Farmington Hills, MI
$20,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support an ensemble residency program. The Romero Guitar Quartet will present a concert, school performances, lecture-demonstrations, and master classes for elementary through high school students and at community organizations.

Detroit Chamber Winds
Southfield, MI
$14,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support the Pontiac Schools Project. Plans include multiple visits to every elementary, middle, and high school in the district.

Detroit Chamber Winds
Southfield, MI
$10,000
CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support a residency with composer William Bolcom. Each of the concerts will feature a work by the composer who will be in attendance at each performance.

Detroit Institute of Arts (aka DIA)
Detroit, MI
$75,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Museum
To support research, conservation, and display of paintings currently in storage. Many of the paintings have been in storage for decades and have been recently reexamined to be introduced back into the museum's permanent galleries.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall (Consortium)
Detroit, MI
$70,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Power of Dreams String Music Project. In partnership with Wayne State University, the program offers group string lessons and performance opportunities to elementary-aged students, taught by qualified music education students from Wayne State University.

Eisenhower Dance Ensemble
Southfield, MI
$20,000
CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Dance
To support the restaging of Lar Lubovitch's Marimba. The work will be performed by the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts and at Oakland University in Detroit.

Flint Institute of Arts
Flint, MI
$15,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support ARTreach, a visual arts education program. Institute staff and classroom educators will create arts learning activities integrating a studio component organized around major themes explored in the core curriculum to strengthen literacy.

Focus: HOPE
Detroit, MI
$30,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Excel Photography Program. High school students will learn technical and artistic photographic skills from professional photographers.

Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival Operating Corporation
Southfield, MI
$15,000
CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support performances of American chamber music and related educational activities during the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival. The focus for the festival will be the works of composer Samuel Barber including his String Quartet Op. 11, Summer Music, Dover Beach, and the Cello Sonata.

InsideOut Literary Arts Project, Inc.
Detroit, MI
$28,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Voices High School Literary Expansion program. Teams of two writers-in-residence will visit Detroit public high schools to present a literature program to enhance the schools' curriculum throughout the school year.

Interlochen Center for the Arts
Interlochen, MI
$45,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support Guest Artist-Faculty in Residence. Guest artist master classes, seminars, and lectures in creative writing, dance, motion picture arts, music, theater arts, and visual arts will be offered for students (ages 8 to 18) enrolled in the summer arts camp and year-round arts academy.

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Kalamazoo, MI
$30,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support education and community programs. The program is designed to offer a menu of opportunities in which the orchestra's musicians will provide a range of music learning experiences for community and school partners, tailored to meet the needs of each partner

Long Haul Productions Inc
Three Oaks, MI
$10,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Media Arts
To support production and post-production costs for a series of audio documentaries by Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister. American Anthology will examine a wide range of timely issues.

Marygrove College
Detroit, MI
$5,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Literature
To support a day of readings and workshops with a critically renowned African American writer as part of the college's Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series. The program will be promoted to more than 200,000 students and community members.

Matrix Theatre Company
Detroit, MI
$27,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Matrix School of Theater. The year-long theater training program serves youth, ages 5 to 18, in the areas of playwriting, puppetry, and performance.

Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Lansing, MI
$903,745
CATEGORY: Partnership FIELD/DISCIPLINE: State & Regional
To support Partnership Agreement activities.

Michigan State University (on behalf of Michigan State University Museum)
East Lansing, MI
$40,000
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Folk and Traditional Arts
To support the 2009 Apprenticeship and Heritage Program. The Michigan State University Museum project will provide support for the Michigan Traditional Arts Program which manages the state's folklife program, including the state's apprenticeship program.

Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit
Detroit, MI
$78,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Main Stage Training Program. Professional actors and teaching artists will provide students with intensive acting, vocal, and technical theater training leading to the creation and performance of an original musical.

Northern Michigan University (on behalf of Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center)Marquette, MI
$15,000CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Folk and Traditional Arts
To support the third annual Upper Peninsula Folklife Festival. Northern Michigan University, on behalf of the Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center, will present a folk festival celebrating the cultural diversity of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Rebirth, Inc.
Detroit, MI
$7,500
CATEGORY: Access to Artistic Excellence FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Music
To support the Jazz Education Outreach Concert Series in Detroit public elementary, middle, and high schools. From October 2010 to March 2011, a total of 18 live concerts will take place in five schools, providing three hour-long presentations that also will showcase early jazz.

Sphinx Organization, Inc. (Consortium)
Detroit, MI
$50,000
CATEGORY: Learning in the Arts FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Learning in the Arts
To support the Sphinx Preparatory Music Institute. In partnership with Wayne State University, the program provides Detroit-area youth Saturday classes in instrumental performance, music theory, ear training, and music history.

University Musical Society
Ann Arbor, MI
$100,000
CATEGORY: American Masterpieces FIELD/DISCIPLINE: Presenting
To support American Masterpieces: Performance and Context. The presenting series will explore the American legacy of master works in the genres of classical and contemporary music, jazz, modern dance, and traditional folk music.


Number of Grants: 23 Total Amount: $1,618,245

DUE 5/26: Arts Education Partnership grants up to $20k! Detroit/Southfield

NOTE: please view the link for eligible cities as Detroit/Southfield seem to be the only eligible cities in Michigan:

National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts/MetLife Foundation Partners in Arts Education Grant Program
Download 2010-11 Application and Guidelines (PDF)
Download tips on preparing a successful proposal (PDF)

The national initiative, now in its sixth year, aims to improve teaching and learning in the arts by supporting and promoting sustainable partnerships between community arts education organizations and public schools. During the current school year, more than 11,500 students in eight cities are receiving year-long arts instruction thanks to 14 partnerships funded by the Partners in Arts Education Program. Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to support arts education partnerships during the 2010-2011 school year.

MetLife Foundation Partners in Arts Education Grants are designed to support exemplary partnerships that:
1. serve large numbers of public school students during the school day or extended day
2. exemplify best practices in creating and sustaining effective partnerships
3. provide high quality arts education experiences
4. prioritize student learning and achievement in the arts and
5. address national, state, and/or local arts education standards.

The application deadline for the 2010-11 program is 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Grants are restricted to the following 33 cities listed here and in the guidelines. Only organizations that are Full Members in good standing of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts may apply. Non-member organizations should submit a membership application and first-year dues payments at least one week prior to submitting an application. Click here for membership information or contact Heather Ikemire at (212) 268-3337 ext. 10. Members that are interested in submitting applications are encouraged to contact Jay Samios at (212) 268-3337 ext. 12 with questions.

REVIEW successful applications from the 2009-2010 Program
City Lore, New York, NY
Hubbard Street Dance, Chicago, IL
Progressive Arts Alliance, Cleveland, OH

CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE 6/30: Summer Photography Exhibit at Art & Ideas Contempoary Art Gallery & Studio

From Mike Tolinski, Director of Art & Ideas LLC:

SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT ART & IDEAS CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY & STUDIO
http://www.artandideasgallery.com/Art_%26_Ideas/Call_4_ART.html )

Art & Ideas’ summer photography show called “Social Realism 2010” is being scheduled for Aug.-Sept. of 2010. Entries are now being considered for spots in the exhibition to show multiple works by two serious local photographers. The juried selection process will place significant emphasis on the social commentary and meaning of the images, as expressed by both the images and thoughtful artist statements. (For reference, artists might consider the “Social Realism” as practiced by photographers in the 1930s – but in our case, we’re also looking for humor and irony depicted about our current situation in USA and SE Michigan!)

Photographers submitting work must reside in Southeast Michigan.

Entry fee: $10 per entry. Submission must be made using USPS mail only (emailed submissions will not be considered), or in person at Art & Ideas (15095 Northville Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170). Each submission must include the following:
1. An artist’s statement that explains the social commentary made in the images submitted.
2. The artist’s resume.
3. One CD containing 10 to 20 images in JPEG format (at least 1 megabyte file size – width of ~5”). (If sending multiple images, you could group images into series of common themes.)
4. A list of images from the CD, including the size of the printed versions.
5. A non-refundable check for $10 made out to Art & Ideas LLC.
6. The artist’s email address, if he/she wishes to receive notification via email.

Award: A six-week exhibition of the two chosen artists’ works at Art & Ideas in Plymouth Township, showing up to 10-20 images per artist (depending on print size). Artists will be responsible for the printing and framing of their work. (Other contract details will be discussed at the appropriate time.)

Juror: Shaqe Kalaj is artist-in-residence at Art & Ideas. For several years she has exhibited her photography, prints, woodcuts, paintings, and mixed-media pieces throughout Michigan, as well as outside of Michigan in the USA and in Japan and South Korea. Shaqe describes herself as a “content-based” artist who bases each series of work on a “guiding question” of social relevance.

Important dates:
June 30: Final deadline for submissions
July 5: Winners selected; notifications sent
July 20-25: Receive artwork
Aug. 7: Exhibition opening night reception
Sept. 18: End of exhibition
Sept. 19-24: Pick up work


Mike Tolinski, Director
ART & Ideas LLC
CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY & STUDIO
LECTURES / CLASSES / WORKSHOPS / CREATIVE COACHING
"where Art makes Meaningful Connections"
15095 Northville Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
734-420-0775 / cell 734-604-1735
www.artandideasgallery.com

CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE 7/31: "From Our Perspectives: A National Women's Art Exhibition"

From Josephine Primeau, Project Director for "From Our Perspectives:

From Our Perspectives: A National Women’s Art Exhibition

Category: Exhibition Opportunities
Posted by: The Womencenter at Oakland Community College
Entry Deadline: July 31, 2010

The Oakland Community College Womencenter sponsors From Our Perspectives: A National Women’s Art Exhibition. This exhibition commits to giving women artists a forum in which to share their creative inquiries into the material, personal, global, political, and cultural landscapes that surround us.

The exhibition occurs September 16 - October 8, 2010 at the Smith Theatre Gallery, Oakland
Community College, in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Open to all women artists nationwide.
All media ( excluding video & performance)

Juror: Gilda Snowden, artist and Professor of Fine Art at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit, and 2009 Kresge Foundation Artist Fellow.

Download prospectus from www.oaklandcc.edu/womencenter/artshow.htm
After viewing guidelines enter online at: www.oaklandcc.edu/womencenter/entryform.htm

CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE 5/27: Sculpture Exhibit, City of Brighton

From Lauri French with the City of Brighton (Community Development):

CITY OF BRIGHTON
SECOND BIENNIAL OUTDOOR SCULPTURE EXHIBIT – CALL TO ARTISTS

The City of Brighton Arts and Culture Commission (BACC) is seeking submissions of outdoor sculptures for exhibit in the ongoing Brighton Biennial Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit in and around downtown Brighton. Two sculptures will be installed as replacement pieces for two large exhibits from the original Biennial on 8’ x 8’ concrete pads (see pictures of existing locations on the web site). One sculpture is for a new location with a concrete pad measuring 11’x7’x20”h (see picture on web site). We are also seeking two smaller pieces for exhibit on 2’x2’x3’6” pedestal bases.

Selected pieces will be exhibited for a minimum of two years. Installation of the pieces will be coordinated with the Brighton Fine Arts Festival the weekend of August 14-15, 2010. Online and print brochures will be provided to the public to inspire self-guided and docent walking tours of the exhibit. All work must be for sale and remain in the exhibit for the entire duration. The deadline for application submission is May 27, 2010.

Applications may be downloaded at: http://www.downtownbrighton.com/1/brighton/art_walk.asp



Lauri French
City of Brighton
Community Development
810-225-9244
frenchl@BrightonCity.org

CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE 7/7: Haggin Museum in California - Cash Awards Over $5000

From Clemmie King of The Stockton Art League in California:

Please forward to your area artists:

We are hoping to reach artists all across the US regarding a Call for Entry for a National Juried Exhibition to be held in Stockton, California, at The Haggin Museum (CD Deadline: July 7, 2010). We are seeking the help of State Art Councils and Commissions in an effort to reach as many artists as possible. Below my signature is a short announcement that could be pasted into a listserve, e-blast, newsletter, or website, for any artists or organizations in Michigan that might be interested.

A prospectus can be downloaded at www.hagginmuseum.org. The Haggin Museum has hosted many National Juried exhibitions, most recently the Plein Air Society and the Pastel Society of the West Coast. In addition, their collection includes the largest number of Albert Bierstadt paintings in the world.

It is a fantastic venue for art and we issue press releases to artists’ local newspapers for all artists who win awards in this show. Thank you for any and all help in sharing this “Call for Entry” with your resident artists and organizations.

Sincerely,
Clemmie King
Stockton Art League
56th Juried Exhibition Committee
San Joaquin County

STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA
The 56th Juried Exhibition at The Haggin Museum sponsored by Stockton Art League. September 2 – October 31, 2010. Cash awards over $5000. Open to all US artists. No photography or computer art. CD deadline July 7, 2010. Juror: Margot Schulzke. Prospectus: #10 SASE to Teresa Hickey, 1031 Elmwood Ave., Stockton, CA 95204 or www.hagginmuseum.org Inquiries: elmhickey@sbcglobal.net

DUE 5/8! Youth-based GRANT OP from MCACA - up to $2500

From the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA):

MCACA/NLACM Retention and Engagement youth grant program
Grant application deadline: May 8, 2010
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), through its New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan (NLACM) youth advisory group, is offering youth-grants of up to $2,500 to Michigan Non-profit organizations in support of youth-based projects as part of a community engagement and retention strategy. The NLACM is dedicated to promoting the Arts and Culture in Michigan, and is focused on supporting young leaders. NLACM is proud to offer these grants tailored for young leaders in Michigan focused on arts and culture projects.

These are small, up to $2,500 grants, with very specific criteria. MCACA only has $20,000 for this program..

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELINES (PDF) BY CLICKING HERE

I hope you take a good look at the guidelines and if you have questions please give me a call. Feel free to distribute.
All my best

John Bracey, Executive Director
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
BraceyJ@Michigan.org
517.241.3972
www.themedc.org/arts
Please note the new e-mail address


Join Artstock! on Facebook
Carolyn Damstra
Program Manager, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
300 N. Washington Square
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 241-3968
FAX (517) 241-3979
damstrac@michigan.org
www.themedc.org/Arts

5/7: BEST Project Event in Flint - Capacity Building for Arts & Cultural Orgs

From Diane C. Woodruff with the BEST project in Flint:

Thanks to support from the Kresge Foundation, the BEST Project will be engaging arts and cultural organizations from Genesee County in capacity building programming and networking opportunities. Please see the attached flyer for information regarding our launch event on May 7th.

Register for event at: ArtsConnection launch May 7th

To help us get the word out, feel free to pass this along to any arts and cultural agency or program contacts you know that would be interested. I am working on a database to send out information to those in this sector. If you know of any contacts who would like to be added, please direct them to email me.

Thank you for your time,
___________________
Diane C Woodruff
BEST Project
E-mail Address: dwoodruff@bestprojectonline.org
Website Address: www.bestprojectonline.org
Office Phone: 810.232.8000
Fax: 810.232.9122
Mailing Address: PO Box 3128, Flint, MI 48502
Office Address: 310 E. Third St., Third Floor, Flint, MI 48502

Check out the BEST Project on the C.S. Mott Foundation YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/CSMottFoundation

National Research Project: Professional Development of Artists (from ARTISIN LLC of NJ)

From Susan Shear of ARTISIN LLC based out of New Jersey:

ARTISIN LLC is a New Jersey consulting firm working with Creative Capital and the Joan Mitchell Foundation conducting a national research project regarding professional development opportunities for artists. We are scanning the entire country, state by state, digging from the state level to the local arts agencies, to community-based organizations, grant makers, and beyond, to address many questions related to professional development for (self-defining) professional originating artists that are not matriculating students. This phase 1 work, to be completed by mid-April, is part of a multi-phase project; a second foundation will be joining for phases 2 and 3. The findings will be shared with the field. This is a significant first step on the road to a national advocacy movement to support artists, their needs, their communities and the organizations that work to support them. Your organization will be identified as a participant in the research.

The information you provide will benefit artists and their careers. Participation by selected organizations like yours will make this project a success. Your inclusion in this groundbreaking research will be an asset to the field.

Please respond by answering the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5CKWLDZ. If you have any additional information, please include it in the survey or email me at susan.schear@artisin.com with your additional details.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Susan


ARTISIN, LLC
Leading the Arts to Creative Business Solutions
Susan Schear
www.artisin.com
susan.schear@artisin.com
973 482-1000 (office)
973 482-0303 (fax)
201 755-6100 (cell)
375 Mt. Prospect Avenue
Suite 6B
Newark, NJ 07104

CALL FOR ARTISTS DUE 5/14: Michigan Downtown Conference - Created Unique Award(s)

From Kelly Larson, Main Street Architect with the State Historic Preservation Office
at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority:

Calling all Michigan-Based Artists! (Please forward to others who may be interested)

The Michigan Downtown Conference Planning Committee has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a Michigan-based artist to create unique and hand-crafted awards for this year's conference being held on September 13-14, 2010 in Bay City, MI. The awards are to reflect the positive image and vibrancy of Michigan's downtowns and traditional commercial districts.

The theme of this year's conference is "Michigan's Downtowns: Yes, We're Open!", an outgrowth of the nationally acclaimed Shop Main Street video produced by the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA in 2009. The conference brings together community leaders across the state and serves to present case studies and best practices on successful downtown development strategies as well as provide new ideas to attendees for use in their own communities.

The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, May 14, 2010. Request for Proposal (RFP) details are available on the conference website at www.michigandowntownconference.org. For questions, please contact Kelly Larson at larsonk@michigan.gov.

If you would like to view the video that has inspired the conference, please visit the Michigan Main Street Center website at www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org and click on the "Main Street Video" link.


Kelly Larson
Main Street Architect, State Historic Preservation Office
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
702 W. Kalamazoo, PO Box 30740, Lansing, MI 48909-8240
Phone: 517-241-0242
Fax: 517-335-0348
For information about MSHDA and social networking, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mshdasocialnetwork